Over 500 participants of Asian and European Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) gathered in Beijing on Monday for a three-day forum to discuss issues covering social and ecological justice. Watch the video

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi speaks during the opening ceremony of the 7th Asia-Europe Peopl's Forum in Beijing, capital of China, on Oct. 13, 2008. More than 500 non-governmental delegates from Europe and Asia participate in the forum that aims to promote social justice and enviromental protections.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the seventh Asia and Europe People's Forum (AEPF), Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi believed the forum participants would follow the principle of equality and mutual respect, fully exchange views on subjects related to the theme of the meeting, seek common ground while putting aside differences, increase consensus, make constructive contributions and work together to make the event productive.

Its theme, "For social and ecological justice," covers a range of issues, including the Millennium Development Goals, climate change and ecological justice, social security in Asia and Europe, women's participation in political affairs, rights of the disabled and counter terrorism, all of which are common challenges confronting countries in Asia and Europe.

"I hope the participants will conduct in-depth discussions on these issues in a pragmatic manner and come up with practical and feasible suggestions that will serve as important policy reference for the upcoming Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)," Yang noted.

Asian and European leaders from more than 40 countries will gather in Beijing on Oct. 24 for the two-day ASEM Summit under the theme of "Vision and action towards a win-win solution."

"The Chinese side attaches great importance to the summit and is making active preparations for it," Yang said.

"We hope the summit will help increase mutual understanding and trust and enhance multilateralism through extensive and in-depth political dialogue between Asia and Europe, advance globalization for mutual benefit and a win-win outcome, promote sustainable development and social harmony," he noted.

The ASEM Summit would produce fruitful results and contribute to the peace and development of the world and the well being of the people of both Asia and Europe, Yang said.

The forum, since its inception, had done much in promoting sustainable environmental, social and economic development, protecting the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of the people in Asia and Europe, and facilitating the participation of various sectors of society in the ASEM process, according to Yang.

The forum had put forward many good proposals that have attracted the close attention of ASEM, and contributed its share to Asia-Europe cooperation, Yang said.